There are several Herbs well known in herbal medicine to ease nearly any PMS symptom or group of symptoms… naturally. When correctly combined however, you can receive stellar results.

CHASTE BERRY –Chasteberry is considered by some to be the single most effective herbal remedy for every type of PMS symptom . It is progesteronic, progestrone is estrogen’s most potent antagonist. “There are many studies confirming that chasteberry produces PMS relief…acording to Herb Research Research Foundation president Rob McCaleb.” Herbal Defense pg. 200.

It is important to understand that the symptoms ..

Source: HEALTH

Premenstrual syndrome Herbal Remedies

Traditionally, Vitex (Chaste tree, Monk?s pepper) has been used for controlling Menstrual Disorders. The part used is the vitex stem. Vitex stem acts upon the pituitary gland?specifically on the production of a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH), which indirectly increases progesterone production and helps regulate the menstrual cycle. Vitex is taken orally in form of capsules or liquid, depending on the available product.

Tea made up of Yarrow plant is also traditionally considered very beneficial. It has anti-inflamatory properties and helps in menstrual disorders. Tea can be prepared by boiling yarrow leaves in water for 10-15 minutes. It can be taken 2-3 times in a day to get relief.

Dashamoola is an ayurvedic composition of ten roots for treatment menstrual disorders.It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is considered vey effective in bronchitis, cough, headache, weakness, drowsiness and digestive problems. It is available in different forms - tablets or liquid(wine made from these herbs).

Spleen Qi Deficiency

The Spleen meridian also traverses the reproductive area, and is partially responsible for the production of blood, and has a strong influence on reproduction and menstruation. Blood deficiency would be seen in menstrual disorders with brown blood. Spleen Qi Deficiency patterns often present with white or clear vaginal discharges that can be sticky in nature, general fatigue, eating disorders, obesity, or lack of appetite. Restore the Middle Way Formula is an effective Spleen Qi Tonic.

Blood Stagnation

PMS and PMDD with extreme menstrual cramps and pain is a sign of severe Liver Qi Stagnation combined with Blood Stagnation in the Uterus. Specific herbs are used to move blood in the uterus that are included in Stasis in the Lower Palace Formula that can be combined with Free and Easy Wanderer Formula for best results.

One popular traditional herbal remedy for pms available through health food shops is a dry extract of Agnus castus (chaste tree) fruit. Recent research in the British Medical Journal concluded that this natural treatment “is an effective and well tolerated treatment for the relief of (PMS) premenstrual syndrome symptoms”. In the double blind trial, those who received the real extract as opposed to placebos had a 50 percent or greater improvement in overall PMS symptoms.

Women and PMS

Hormonal changes do not only affect physical conditions but also the mental and emotional state of a woman. It is not uncommon for women in their reproductive years to feel the ‘blues’, days before their menstruation. Millions of women from around the world suffer from PMS related pains and cramps on a monthly basis; the severity of which would oftentimes make a woman wish that she was not born a girl.

Source: premenstrual syndrome pms

However, let’s first discuss the substance itself so that its function in that process can be more easily understood.  Neither should we ignore the other benefits that folic acid gives us, or the problems we can have in the event of a deficiency.

Folic acid is a form of Vitamin B9, sometimes referred to as Vitamin M.  Its anionic form is known as folate, which is the form in which it is frequently offered in supplements. Incidentally, it gets its name from the Latin for leaf, so is from the same root as foliage. It is water soluble, and like Vitamin C can be leached through the body if not immediately used.

It is available naturally from leafy and green vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, spinach and peas, but is also available in fortified breakfast cereals, sunflower seeds and some fruits. You wouldn’t normally suffer a deficiency, but if you’re taking anticonvulsants, have liver problems or undergoing kidney dialysis, then you might need a supplement. Pregnancy, of course, is the important case in which a supplement should be taken, although, surprisingly, many mothers-to-be are unaware of this.

New body cells need folate for their production, particularly when they’re dividing and growing rapidly such as during pregnancy and in infancy.  The formation of DNA depends on many chemical entities, among them four nitrogenous bases, of which three, thymine and the two purine bases, adenine and guanine, depend on folate for their synthesis. If the growing fetus is lacking folate then DNA synthesis will be hindered. This retards cell division and growth.

Among the conditions this can cause are a form of anemia known as megaloblastic anemia, and neural tube deficiencies, where the sheath that surrounds the main nerve canal up the spine fails to shut properly. The ideal known of such neural tube defects is spina bifida, though any condition caused by a lack of cell division can also occur. Anemia can be contracted by both adults and children, since production of red blood cells takes place constantly throughout your lifetime.  These are the reasons why folic acid or folate is used in breakfast cereals.

The biochemistry is fairly simple to comprehend, and is important because it explains the importance of two other B vitamins, B3 and B12, in DNA synthesis. The initial stages are a six step reaction that forms methyl tetrahydrofolate from folate, starting with the reduction of folate to dihydrofolate, and then a further reduction to the tetrahydrofolate (THF).  Vitamin B3 (in the form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) is an essential cofactor for these reductions. Vitamin B12 is necessary as an acceptor for the methyl-THF so that it can continue along the biochemical pathway - now that’s too complex to discuss here!

However, the inference you can rightly draw from this is that a deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause what’s known as a ‘methyl trap’, whereby the methy-THF can’t be used, and so a deficiency in Vitamin B12 can lead to the same symptoms as a folate deficiency.

The implications of that are that vitamin B12 is also an essential component of a pregnant woman’s diet.  The problem here is that this vitamin is available only from animal sources, including dairy products.  Its presence in vegetable organisms such as certain algae and fungi has been proposed, but it is believed that the cobalamin (chemical term for the vitamin) from these sources isn’t bioavailable to humans.

Vegans, therefore, who don’t eat dairy products, will need a Vitamin B12 supplement in addition to folic acid or folate, particularly when they are pregnant and with young growing kids. In this respect, a vegan diet is unsuitable for young children until their rapid growth period has stabilized.

For those of you wondering why the biochemistry above was discussed:  that’s your answer.  Such discussions can frequently explain why certain supplements are necessary, or certain diets should be reconsidered under particular circumstances. Such things are easier to comprehend and accept when the logic behind them are explained.  A folic acid supplement taken from the onset of pregnancy up to 12 weeks at least, and also a Vitamin B12 supplement in the case of those with a low meat intake, should prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

A daily supplement of 0.4 mg should be sufficient, along with a diet rich in green vegetables, fortified cereals and breads and oranges.  Your greens are ideal steamed since prolonged boiling destroys folic acid - as it destroys Vitamin C.  One source of folic acid that you might read about is liver, and its additional iron content might lead you to believe this to be a good component of your diet when pregnant.   However, even though normally a very nutritious food, liver should be avoided during pregnancy due to its high Vitamin A content. This can be harmful to your baby.

Finally, there are some circumstances under which the dose during pregnancy should be greater.  If you’ve previously had a child with a neural tube defect, or have an NTD yourself (or your partner), if you are diabetic, if you have celiac disease (a gluten allergy) or are taking anti-epileptic medication, you should increase your dose to 5 mg (milligrams) for which you’ll likely need a prescription from your physician.

NTD is rare, so don’t over-worry much about it, but take the above precautions to put your mind at rest since pregnancy isn’t a time during which you should be nervous but to care about. That’ll pass on to your growing baby, which will then itself be happy.

Source: Infancy

Another recommended source for expecting mothers

Although it may be true that some of us do act a little grouchy during certain times of our month, it does not give others the right to automatically use PMS as a reason for someone’s attitude or actions.  Women also have to be careful to not always use PMS as an excuse for acting grouchy and taking things out others when there are steps we personally can take to lessen the symptoms of PMS. 

Symptoms of PMS may include anxiety, depression, nervous tension, food cravings, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, heart palpitations, water retention, breast tenderness and bloating.  These symptoms occur because estrogen and progesterone become out of balance with each other.  There are certain lifestyle factors that can influence the severity or the longevity of PMS such as diet, exercise, stress, or consuming too much caffeine.

Since some women suffer with more severe symptoms it may be necessary for them to use more than one or two relief measures to make a difference.  Be sure to check with your doctor if lifestyle changes alone do not help the symptoms, because there may be a natural remedy or prescription medication that might help ease the severe symptoms.

By reducing the sugary, salty and greasy foods, as well as caffeine in our diets it usually lessens the severity and duration of the PMS.  Also, regular exercise and a reduction of stress help bring things into a better balance.  Not only will a few lifestyle changes reduce PMS symptoms and help you feel better overall, it may make it so that your family, friends and co-workers won’t be able to use PMS talk to describe you.  

Flip flops do have a redemptive quality in that they protect the bottom of your feet from hot sidewalks or sand or germs in the public restrooms or showers, but they offer no arch support, heel cushioning or absorb shock.  The main problem comes because flat shoes promote a flat foot, which for people with a high arch it may not be problematic, but for people with a flatter arch already, there can be problems.

One problem that has become more prevalent in the last few years is plantar fasciitis.  Many women suffer with this condition, as well as men.  It can come from foot structure, not enough support, a lot of standing and being overweight.  Many people feel the pain when they first get up in the morning or after sitting for a long time.  The doctor can diagnose this problem and can offer some tips on how to handle the pain.

It will help to cut back on activities and give your feet a rest, especially from hard surfaces.  Ice can be used to reduce swelling, as well as over-the-counter products like Advil or Naproxen.   Stretches like calf stretches and using a towel at the arch of the feet and pulling up with both hands may help, as well as rolling the arch on a rolling pin.  Be sure to get shoes with a good arch support, not flip flops, and orthotics may be necessary in the shoes to give additional support.  The arch may also be taped up to give more support if needed.

Other problems that have been noted with the overuse of flip flops are back aches and pains, leg pains and other foot problems.  Flip flops have their place, but should not be overused and are not for the day at the amusement park or mountain trail. 

There are many reasons why a woman’s hair may thin, the main one being hormones.  Thinning scalp hair seems to occur in one in eight women before menopause and then in more than one in three after menopause.  Also, during pregnancy hair normally becomes thicker, but childbirth throws the switch for active hair roots to go into a resting phase.  Hair loss then can occur about three months after that.

Another condition that may cause hair loss is a medical one where the thyroid is either over or under productive.  The doctor can do a blood test (TSH, T3 and T4) to determine if the thyroid is not producing as it should.  If it is not medication may be used to regulate the thyroid and may help the thinning of the hair.

There are other things that come into play when a woman loses her hair, but what can be done about it?  Some women may just need to use a good style and some hair products to thicken the hair, like a thickening shampoo.  That will not actually make the hair grow back or become thicker permanently, but it will give the hair a lift making it appear thicker. 

There are medications that can be used with approval from your doctor like Propecia and Rogaine for women with severe hair loss.  If the hair loss came from a medical treatment, most likely it will grow back on its own, but probably will not look like it did before the hair fell out.  Some women just choose to have wigs made to look like their own hair when it was thicker, which nowadays wigs look so natural it can be hard to tell the difference.

Some ways to help prevent hair loss are:

• Eat a balanced diet and take vitamin and mineral supplements to reduce hair loss through vitamin or iron deficiency.
• Avoid using hair styling techniques and products that will damage hair like bleaching, hot rollers, frequent permanents, hot curling irons and hair dryers.
• Ponytails and braids can put more tension on the hair.
• Try not to rub the hair hard when it is wet or brush it too quickly breaking ends off and pulling out hair.
• Using a wide tooth comb and not over brushing are good for the hair.

But what about tanning, is that any better for us?  By getting a tan at a salon, will it help to protect our skin when we are actually out in the sun?  According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, tanning lamps that emit ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has been proven to be a carcinogen and the tanning lamps can put of as much as 12 times the amount of UVR as the sun.  They also report that over 70% of the people using tanning salons are girls and women ages 16-29 and that exposure to tanning before you are 35 can increase your risk of melanoma by 75%. 

So what can we do to protect our skin, but yet get that healthy glow?  It is recommended that we use a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher and apply it to your skin at least 30 minutes before going outside.  You should also reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you are in the water or sweating a lot.  Get in the shad as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the rays are the strongest.  The sunless tanning lotions and sprays seem to be safer than tanning beds and sun exposure, but be sure to read the bottles carefully, get one with an SPF of 15 and reapply sunscreen while out in the sun.  It should have the active ingredient DHA to be a real sunless tanner, and if not it could be bad for your skin.

You can also wear light weight clothing that covers your skin, including a hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.  When looking for protective clothing a tighter woven fabric in a darker color offers more protection than a white cotton lightweight fabric. There are many companies who are now making sun protective clothing in stylish designs to wear with your swim wear or during athletics.

Yes, a tan can look very appealing in the summer time, but we all need to be aware of what we are doing to our skin and what it will mean down the road.  Be sure to check yourself for suspicious spots every month and see your doctor if you see anything that is out of the ordinary for your or has changed in color, size or shape.

Menopause is truly a rite of passage. Vow to emerge from it with a sense of renewal and anticipation of a new life to come. Menopause is a time to let our wise blood awaken us to the good life that is yet to come. Menopause is not defined by a blood test, or a urine test, or any laboratory test for that matter.

Menopause is a tough transition for many women. It usually begins to occur in late middle age when the efficiency of the ovaries begins to decline. Menopause is nothing more than your levels of ovarian hormones dropping below that level that supports fertility. When menopause happens naturally (that is, without surgical intervention), our ovaries don’t just throw a switch and never produce another hormone again. Menopause is essentially a modify in a your chemical composition. It is a completely uncolored process.

Menopause is actually a single day. The long journey to that day is called perimenopause. Menopause is a very important time in a woman’s life and all women who live past 40 must withstand the worst of this condition. A woman’s body goes through many changes that can affect her social life, her feelings about herself and her functioning at work. Menopause is a natural transition that is unique for each woman, but for many it comes with a lot of unpleasant symptoms that can disrupt the normal flow of daily life. More women are choosing to use natural alternatives that can be as effective as other prescription treatments.

Childbirth

Childbirth is something that’s been going on for eons and will continue to occur long after your childbearing years are over. Your mind and your body are totally connected, and if you are worried and anxious when it is time to give birth, you will make your body tense and your contractions will be that much more painful. Childbirth is a normal and natural function. It is also an intense experience. Childbirth is usually a long and exhausting experience. But, as soon as that baby pops out, you’re on cloud nine!!

Childbirth is the ultimate in unskilled labour. But for the vast majority of those years, people also had to go out and kill something to eat. Childbirth is one of the most widely shared experiences of roughly half the world‟s population. Yet even among the most highly developed countries, the quality of that experience varies tremendously, with high-intervention practices becoming increasingly the rule in the US, while countries such as the Netherlands have relatively low numbers of cesareans, but high numbers of homebirths with excellent results. Childbirth is like nothing you have done before and is an event you cannot control completely. However, with planning, you can enter the experience well-prepared.

Childbirth is a complicated process that requires effort from everyone involved. There are many different things that can make childbirth easier on both parties, and you may consider using them. Childbirth is a natural experience. It can be a valuable learning experience for children who seem interested and can create a lasting bond to the newborn sibling they get to witness coming into the world.

And personally, in my husband’s opion (even though I know he likes me skinny, fit, and tan), he loves to see me pregant… for all of the reasons.  There is just something that is utlra attractive about a woman who is pregnant.  Granted, some days are pretty rough, but there is just something that God did to make a pregant woman glow!

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a very real illness, affecting over one million people in America alone. If left untreated, the condition can wreak havoc on a person, literally destroying a career, marriage, and self. Chronic fatigue syndrome is more common in females than males and it affects all racial and ethnic groups. CFS usually strikes people between the ages of 20 and 40, but it also occurs in teens. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is most commonly seen after a viral illness from which the patient does not recover. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is most commonly seen after chronic exposure to low levels of chemicals.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and may be made worse by physical or mental activity. People with chronic fatigue syndrome usually function at substantially lower levels of activity.

CFS patients also are victim to frequent infections, which suppress the hypothalamus and lead to a decrease in the functioning of all glands and their hormones, triggering sleep dysfunction because the body confuses day and night cycles. Therefore, people with CFS have trouble staying in a deep, restorative sleep. CFS is not due to a single cause. As outlined above, the fullest understanding of CFS at the present time involves using a multi dimensional approach, in which due attention is given to both physical and psychological factors, and to their interaction. CFS is a progressive immune disorder which affects all body organs and ecosystems. Thus, in addition to the three major symptoms of fatigue, muscle pain, and brain fog, most persons with severe CFS suffer from almost all of the following symptoms: (1) abdominal bloating, flatulence, and cramps (caused by battered the bowel ecology); (2) digestive and absorptive problems (caused by damaged the gastric ecology); (3) dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating, and weakness (due to oxidative stress on the blood ecology caused by used by sugar-insulin-adrenaline roller coasters); (4) dry mouth, thirst and a sense of “toxicity” (caused by excessive detox stress on the liver ecology); (5) cold hands and feet, weight gain, and loss of hair (due to a sluggish thyroid); (6) chronic stress, irritability, and anxiety (due to relentless stress on the adrenal gland); (7) hypoglycemic symptoms (due to the instability of the pancreas); (8) PMS, menstrual irregularities, lack of sex drive, and premature menopause (due to imbalance of sex hormones); (9) heart palpitations, low blood pressure, dizziness on sudden change of posture (due to oxidative stress on the cardiovascular system); (10) severe problems of mood, memory, and mentation problems (due to disruptions of neurotransmitters); and (11) air or oxygen hunger due to sluggish oxygen transport and utilization).